Total Maine town compelled to close after its solely clerk quits over denied vacation

The only clerk in a small Maine town resigned after the board of selectmen denied her trip request.

Christen Bouchard was the town clerk in Passadumkeag, Maine, since 2020. She requested a two-week vacation a couple of month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was out there to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The city has had no one to register vehicles, preserve crucial data, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of town clerk isn’t the one vital opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 folks also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a college administration official, in response to The Bangor Each day News.

The town workplace shut right down to in-person guests until further notice, in line with an announcement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will likely be in a few days every week to accept payments on issues reminiscent of taxes,” the statement read. “Please call the workplace before heading out to do any enterprise here as there aren't any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office to gather tax funds. Still, she is reportedly unable to register autos, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the other duties that Ms. Bouchard was liable for.

It’s unclear when the city will be capable of fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, city residents rejected a funds article meant to fund town operations after town officers didn't adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed wage enhance. The price range article additionally did not embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity under Maine law.

Town officers mentioned that they're finding it difficult to fill the open posts resulting from monetary uncertainties. It is usually as a result of town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours every week — although she said she often worked more — and was paid simply $13,500 per year.

“Now we have been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as much as we are able to to get our town back in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do believe in time with the group we've got, we'll get Passadumkeag again in order and looking good, but it should take a bit and is going to be a challenge for certain.”

In the interim, the individuals of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out elementary governmental obligations. It consists of getting registering their cars in the nearby municipality of Howland.